Opening with sliding leaf and especially a glazed opening

ABSTRACT

An opening of the type comprising at least one sliding leaf, in particular a panel of transparent or translucent material such as window-glass, plate-glass, or plastic material. The sliding leaf has at least one flange which is oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the plane of the leaf in the closed position. The flange is applied against a bearing surface of the opening which is oriented accordingly, said bearing surface being formed along the length of the flange and over at least part of the width of said flange. The flange which is thus attached to the leaf has a contributory role in ensuring leak-tightness of the closure.

Lissarragne [45] Aug. 73

[ OPENING Wl'llI-I SLiDllNG LEAE AND ESPECIALLY A GLAZED OPENING [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Boussois Souchon Neuvesel, Paris,

France [22] Filed: Jan. 10, I972 [21] Appl. No.: 216,848

Related U.S. Appiication Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 43,761, June 5, 1970.

Maurice Lissarragne, Velizy, France [30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 20, 1969 France 6920712 [52] 11.8. C1. 419/413, 49/458 [51] Int. Cl E0511 15/06 [58] Field of Search 49/413, 458, 125

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,392,183 9/1921 Lane 49/458 2,908,051 10/1959 Sparkes 49/125 3,490,176 1/1970 Danois 49/413 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 619,254 12/1926 France 49/125 Primary Examiner-Kenneth Downey Attorney-Young & Thompson [57] ABSTRACT An opening of the type comprising at least one sliding leaf, in particular a panel of transparent or translucent material such as window'glass, plate-glass, or plastic material.

The sliding leaf has at least one flange which is oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the plane of the leaf in the closed position; The'flange is applied against a bearing surface of the opening which is oriented accordingly, said bearing surface being formed along the length of the flange and over at least part of the width of said flange.

The flange which is thus attached to the leaf has a contributory role in ensuring leak-tightness of the closure.

8 Claims, 23 Drawing Figures PATENTED AUG 7 I975 SHEET 4 OF 5 Awe/woe Mae/c5 inane/Mews k Arrys OPENING WITH SLIDING LEAF ANI) ESPECIALLY A GLAZED OPENING This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 43,761, filed June 5, 1970.

This invention relates to an opening of the type comprising at least one sliding leaf which can consist in par ticular of a panel of transparent or translucent material such as window-glass, plate-glass, or plastic material.

In this description, the word opening is used in a broad sense and must be understood to refer not only to windows or French windows but also to any openings which are fitted with guide members so as to permit sliding motion of leaves or panels.

This invention is more especially although not solely concerned with the case in which the opening is fitted with two associated leaves which are both formed of glass or the like.

When openings of this type are in the closed position, a space is usually left between the opposite free edges of the leaves and this space permits communication between the exterior and the interior. In order to ensure leak-tightness of the opening, it is therefore necessary to seal up this space.

It has already been proposed to provide leaktightness of the opening by lining the free edges of the flat leaves which come into oppositely-facing situation in the closed position by means of sectional strips, said strips being adapted to engage one inside the other. Leak-tightness is completed by means of flexible seals which are placed within said sectional strips.

It has also been proposed to fill the space which is formed between the oppositely placed leaf edges by means of a pivotal flap fitted with seals and mounted vertically between the upper and lower cross-pieces of the door or window frame.

Finally, it has been proposed to press the edges of the flat leaves one against the other, this action being obtained by means of clamping members which are usually carried by the leaf frame.

However, these forms of construction suffer from a number of different disadvantages the sectional strips which are attached to the free edges of the leaves or the pivotal flaps are opaque and limit the fleld of vision to the center of the glazed opening furthermore, the pivotal motion of the flaps entails the use of special operating devices. The same problems arise in the technique of edge-to-edge application of opposite leaves.

The invention is directed to a particular arrangement of the opening and more especially of the sliding leaf which serves to ensure good leak-tightness and to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages at least to a partial extent if not wholly.

In accordance with the invention, the opening which i is fitted with a sliding leaf of transparent material is dis tinguished by the fact that said leaf has at least one flange which is orientedat an oblique angle with respect to the plane of the leaf in the closed position and that said flange is applied against a bearing surface of the opening which is oriented accordingly, said bearing surface being formed along the length of the flange and over at least part of the width of said flange.

The flange which is thus attached to the leaf has a contributory role in ensuring leak-tightness of the closure.

. In a first embodiment of the invention, the flange of the leaf is integral with the remainder of said leaf and forms, for example, a dihedral angle of constant value with the plane of the leaf.

In the case in which the opening is fitted with at least two sliding leaves, the invention advantageously provides for the flange of one of the leaves to come into contact with the flange of the other leaf in the closed position.

Within the broad scope of this type of construction, provision is made in accordance with the invention for a number of different forms of execution such as the following the edge of the leaf comes into direct contact with the edge of the other leaf in the position of closure of the opening said direct contact is made along one plane said direct contact is made under pressure the contact is indirect and is made by means of at least one seal which is fixed on the edge of the leaf the contact is indirect and is made with interposition of a seal which is carried by the frame of the openmg said indirect contact is made under pressure.

In a second embodiment, the flange of the leaf is joined to this latter by means of a flexible seal and especially a transparent and elastic seal which has a sealing rib.

Said seal can be shaped so that the flange should make a dihedral angle with the plane of the leaf in the rest position or on the contrary in order that the flange should be disposed substantially in the plane of the leaf in the rest position whilst the frame of the opening carries means for ensuring deflection of said flange in the closed position by virtue of the elastic deformation of the seal.

Further properties and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows in connection with a number of different forms of embodiment of the invention which are given by way of example without any implied limitation, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. I is a perspective view of a glazed opening fitted with leaves in accordance with the invention FIG. 2 illustrates a separate leaf of the aforesaid opening FIG. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. I

FIG. 4 is an alternative form of FIG. 3

FIG. 5 is a particular embodiment which makes use of seals fixed on the leaf flanges FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate leaves with interposition of seals as shown respectively in the half-open position and in the closed position FIG. E is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7

FIGS. 9 and W are diagrammatic horizontal sectional views of glazed openings each fitted with three leaves in accordance with the invention FIGS. Ill and I2 are transverse sectional views of alternative forms of construction of leaves FIG. I3 is a perspective diagram of a mode of assembly of two leaves in accordance with the invention which make up a glazed opening and are mounted on supporting rails fitted with inclined guide ramps FIG. Mis a perspective diagram showing a mode of assembly in which a leaf according to the invention is mounted on supporting rails having inclined guide ramps FIG. 15 is a partial view in diagrammatic perspective showing two leaves in accordance with the invention which are supported in accordance with the mode of assembly of FIG. 13, the leaves being located in the top position and near the position of closure of the glazed opening FIG. 16 corresponds to FIG. 15, the leaves being in the closed position FIG. 17 is a view in elevation showing another leaf having a flange which is articulated by means of a flexible seal FIG. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line XVIII-XVIII of the leaf of FIG. 17

FIG. 19 is a view which is similar to FIG. 18 and shows another embodiment FIG. 20 shows two leaves of the same type as FIG. 18 in the closed position FIG. 21 is a diagrammatic transverse sectional view of an opening fitted with two leaves in accordance with FIG. 20 in the open position FIG. 22 shows the opening fitted with the same leaves in the closed position FIG. 23 is a similar view of another alternative embodiment.

In the particular embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, there is shown the application of the invention to the construction of a window having two leaves. Said window comprises a wooden frame 1 composed of vertical uprights 2 and 3, ofa bottom cross-piece 4 and a top cross-piece 5 said frame 1 is fitted with two sliding leaves 6 and 7 of toughened glass (having a thickness of 6 mm, for example) so that in the present description, the words leaf" and pane will be considered as synonymous. The leaves 6, 7 which are shown in the closed position of the glazed opening are slidably mounted in known manner in parallel grooves formed in the cross-pieces 4 and 5 of the frame. For example, there are formed in the bottom cross-piece 4 grooves 8 and 9 in which the panes 6 and 7 are adapted to slide respectively. Said grooves are fitted with seals (not shown) in a known manner. Verticalgrooves which are not illustrated and formed in the uprights 2 and 3 permit engagement of the edges of the panes which come opposite to said uprights in the closed position these grooves are also fitted with seals.

A handle 11 of known type serves to displace the glass pane 6 and to fasten this latter to the upright 2. A catch 12 which is fixed on the glass pane 7 serves to lock said pane in position by fastening this latter to the upright 3. In the opening which is illustrated, the normal opening operation is carried out in a general manner in a movement of translation of the glass pane 6 towards the right-hand side the pane 7 can nevertheless be displaced for cleaning purposes, for example, after releasing the catch 12.

In accordance with the invention, the panes 6 and 7 are provided with flanges respectively designated by the reference numerals l3 and 14 and oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the plane of the panes thus making a dihedral angle A with the planes of the glass panes. Said flanges 13 and 14 are located on the side remote from the handle 11 and catch 12.

Preferably, the flanges l3 and 14 have the same thickness as the leaves 6 and 7, this thickness being thus the same over the entire height of said leaves.

The structure of one of the glass panes such as the pane 6 as thus constituted can clearly be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3.

The flange 13 is integral with the pane 6, said flange having been formed by bending a preformed marginal strip in the hot state so that no optical discontinuity should exist between the pane 6 and the flange 13.

The bottom edge 15 of the pane 6 which is employed in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 is adapted to slide on shoes which are placed in the bottom of the groove 8 in known manner. The bottom edge 15 of the pane 6 which is in the sliding position within the groove 8 carries the weight of said pane. The bottom edge 16 of the flange 13 is accordingly adapted to come level with the top face of the bottom cross-piece 4. This arrangement permits satisfactory leak-tightness between the flange 13 and the cross-piece 4. Similar arrangements are made in the case of the top edge 16,, of the flange 13 of the pane, the distance between the edges 16 and 16,, of the flange 13 being substantially equal to the distance between the opposite faces of the crosspieces 4 and 5 of the frame 1.

In order to displace the panes in sliding motion, provision can also be made for notches 17 and 18 formed in the top edge of the pane 6. This arrangement is useful if, instead of sliding the bottom edge 15 within the groove 8, the pane 6 is suspended in known manner to carriages (not shown) which run on horizontal rails formed in the top cross-piece 5. Said notches 17 and 18 serve to secure the pane to said sliding carriages. Further recesses 19 are formed in the pane in order to fix closure and operating members (handle 11, for examp The methods which are well known in the glassmaking industry for cutting, shaping (for bending the flange 13) and toughening glass sheets are applied to the fabrication of a leak in accordance with the invention.

Apart from the advantages arising from leaktightness of the closure which will be set forth hereinafter, it is worthy of note that the thickness of the glass panes which are normally employed for the fabrication of flat sliding leaves can be reduced by virtue of the fact that the folding of the flange 13 of the pane 6 endows this latter with a high degree of rigidity. This property is advantageous since the leaf is thus endowed with high bending strength, especially under the bending stresses produced by wind. Moreover, the reduction in thickness represents a very appreciable economic advantage.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 12, the manner in which two leaves in accordance with the invention are adapted to cooperate in a glazed opening fitted with sliding leaves will now be explained.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the panes 6 and 7 in the closed position have flanges which are designated respectively by the reference numerals l3 and 14 and are of equal width (11 cm, for example), said flanges being adapted to, overlap in the closed position over a distance R of 8.5 cm, for example the axes XX and Y--Y of the grooves 9 and 8 are spaced at a distance of 30 mm, for example the flange 13 makes an angle A, of approximately 10 with the pane 6 and the flange 14 makes an angle A, of equal value with the pane 7. It has been found that, under these conditions, satisfactory leak-tightness is obtained when the flanges 13 and M are directly applied against each other. Leaktightness is even more satisfactory since, as has been mentioned in the foregoing, the rigidity of the panes ti and 7 is increased by bending their respective edge portions.

An unexpected result which will be noted with interest is the virtually perfect leak-tightness which can be obtained by means of such a small angle of inclination. In point of fact, this small inclination is advantageous since it prevents any reduction in clear visibility through the opening.

It is pointed out that, when the pane 6 is displaced towards the right along the axis YY and in the direction of the arrow F, the flange 13 does not rub against the pane 7, a clearance having a width e (7 mm in the example chosen) being always maintained between the edge of said flange l3 and the pane 7.

In the alternative form of FIG; 4, the flanges l3 and 14 of the panes 6,, and 7, are of unequal width their overlap is in this case equal to R which is smaller than R but the clearanceE between the edge 13,, and the pane 7,, is greater than in the previous example (e.g. 18 mm). This arrangement is advantageous in order to prevent the flange 13,, of the pane 6,, which is displaced towards the right from striking the catch I2 which was already described with reference to FlG. ll.

It will be noted that, in the embodiments hereinabove described, no opaque element reduces the visibility through the glazed opening, even in the zone of overlapping of the pane flanges this is an appreciable advantage of the invention by reason of the fact that the flanges are located in the central portion of the opening in the closed position.

Should it be found desirable to improve the leaktightness of the glazed opening to an even greater extent in the vicinity of the free edges of the opposite panes in the closed position, provision is made in accordance with the invention to fit the flanges l3 and/or M with a leak-tight flexible strip 211 and/or 22 which forms a sea] (as shown in FIG. To this end, it is possible by way of example to make use of materials having a base of silicone, polytetrafluoroethylene or the like. The seals 2ll and 22 are fixed in different positions of the corresponding flanges. It is thus apparent that in the closed position, for example, the seal M which is carried by the pane '7 comes into contact with the opposite face of the flange 113 of the pane t5 and that, at the same time, the seal 22 comes into contact with the edge lid of the pane 7. This double packing plays a very effective part in ensuring a hermetic closure.

The seals 21 and/or 22 can have a very small width or be formed of a transparent material such as silicone rubber. Thus, the visibility through the glazed opening is impaired only to a very slight extent, which is not the case with known devices at the present time.

In another embodiment which is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, provision is made for a sealing device 23 which is interposed between the flanges 113 and M vertically in the axis of the window, said device being independent of the leaves and secured to the cross-pieces d and 5 of the frame ll. By way of example, said device 23 consists of a rigid sectional strip of extruded aluminum which is provided on its opposite faces with sealing brushes of polypropylene, said brushes being intended to come into contact with the opposite faces of the flanges l3 and M. The device 23 is accordingly secured in a fixed position and in an oblique orientation with respect to the cross-pieces 4 and 5 of the frame 1. By way of alternative, the sealing device can also be flexible and consist of a spring surrounded by a tubular seal of neoprene or of a twisted metal wire of the tube-brush type in which soft bristles are incorporated. This device is stretched between the cross-pieces d and 5 of the frame l. Said sealing devices 23 which can be of small size or partly transparent are similar to the previous embodiment in that they do not effect visibility through the glazed opening in any appreciable manner.

When seals of the type described with reference to FIGS. 5 to fl are employed, a space remains between the opposite flanges l3 and M in the position of closure a of the opening. Consequently, if it is considered useful to complete the leak-tightness of the opening in the vicinity of the top and bottom edges of the flanges l3 and 11d and of the cross-pieces 5 and d of the frame ll, it is intended as shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and h to ensure this leak-tightness by means of a shaped seal 25 of flexible and elastic material which is fixed in position, for example, within a groove 26 formed in the top face of the bottom horizontal cross-piece d. Similar arrangements are made in the top cross-piece 5. The opposite faces of the flanges l3 and ld (shown in FIG. 8) compress the seal 25. Said seal is advantageously provided with a central recess so as to permit penetration of the vertical seal 23.

The arrangements of the type hereinabove described offer great ease of assembly and permit reduction in weight of the materials employed in the construction of glazed openings fitted with sliding glass panes.

The invention can be generalized to the case of an opening which is fitted with more than two leaves. Thus, referring to FIGS. 9 and W, it is observed that the opening is provided with three leaves 27, 28, 29. The central leaves such as the leaves 23 and 23,, which are slidably displaceable along the axis Y-Y each have two oppositely directed vertical bent edges or flanges I3, 113,.

In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the glass panes 29 and then 28 can be displaced towards the left to a position in which they are located opposite to the glass pane 2'7 the unit is then opened substantially to an extent of 3%. In the embodiment of FIG. lit), the pane 23,, can be displaced to a point opposite to the pane 27,, is of the unit is thus open in the central portion of this latter the pane 29, can then be displaced towards the left until it comes into contact with the displaced pane 2%,; Va of the unit is then open in the righthand portion of this latter.

lt will be observed that, if a handle llll having an eccentric bolt is adopted in the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, it is possible by means of the flange 13 of the pane 6 and in the closed position to exert a pressure on the flange lid of the pane 7 which is fastened by means of the catch 112 to the upright 3 the pressure thus produced is highly conducive to effective leak-tightness of the opening along the flanges of the opposite leaves. It is apparent that this. arrangement is applicable both when the flanges 113 and lid come directly into contact glass against glass and when use is made of vertical seals of the type defined at 2ll, 22 or 23 (shown in FIGS. 5 to d). v

It would naturally not constitute any departure from the invention to provide for cooperating leaves having flanges 113' and lid (as shown in FIG. 1111) which make unequal angles A and A with the planes of the glass panes 6,, and 7,, respectively in this case, a prismatic seal 21,, can advantageously be fixed along one of the edges of the panes. It is also possible to make use of a seal of the type shown at 23.

Finally, the angle A of the flange 13 of the pane 6 can advantageously assume values between 10 and 90, this latter case being illustrated by the flanges 13'', 14" of FIG. 12.

Referring to FIGS. 13 to 16, there will now be briefly described one embodiment of the invention which is of particular interest by reason of the excellent leaktightness with which glazed openings can be endowed by means of the corresponding leaves.

Openings fitted with flat sliding leaves are in fact known in which the leaves are subjected to an oblique downward displacement at the moment of closure of the opening, thereby ensuring a high standard of leaktightness between the bottom edges of the leaves and the bottom cross-piece of the frame.

The application of these arrangements to a leaf 6 in accordance with the invention is illustrated in particular in FIGS. 13 to 16. The leaf6 comprising a flange 13 is suspended by means of rollers 33 and 34 which are pivotally mounted in fastening devices 31 and 32, said devices being attached to the pane 6 by means of notches l7 and 18, for example (as shown in FIG. 2). Said rollers 33 and 34 are capable of displacement on parallel and horizontal rails 35 and 36 which are provided with inclined guide ramps 37 and 38, 39 and 40. Both the rails and ramps form an integral part of the structure of the top cross-piece 5 of the frame 1 and are known per se.

When the pane 6 provided with its flange is displaced from the right towards the left in order to come into the closed position as shown in FIG. 14, the rollers 33 and 34 move simultaneously and respectively downwards on the inclined guide ramps 37 and 38, and 39 and 40 which are directed downwards and towards the left. The pane 6 moves down over a distance H and continues its movement towards the left the bottom edge of the pane 6 (as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16) is applied within the groove 8 which may be fitted with a seal (not shown) and the edge 16 of the flange 13 is applied at the same time against the top face 104 of the bottom cross-piece 4 which is located between the grooves 8 and 9 (as shown in FIG. 16).

Referring to FIG. 13, it will be noted that the pane 7 is supported by means of rails in the same manner as the pane 6 but that the inclined guide ramps 41, 42, and 43, 44 which are formed in said rails are directed downwards and towards the right these ramps cause the pane 7 to move downwards over a distance H while said pane continues its movement towards the right. By reason of the arrangement of the ramps, it will be understood that the opposite faces of the flanges 13 and 14 of the panes 6 and 7 are applied against each other under a constant pressure in the closed position this pressure develops under the action of the weights of the panes 6 and 7 which tend to separate these latter as long as the rollers to which they are suspended are engaged on the ramps of the rails. Thus, enhanced leaktightness is obtained without any additional or manually operated clamping device.

By virture of the means mentioned in the foregoing, a technical expert can easily obtain excellent leaktightness of the glazed opening, especially along the entire length of the flanges of the leaves which are applied against each other under pressure and between the bottom edges of the flanges of said leaves and the bottom cross-piece of the frame.

In an alternative embodiment (shown in FIG. 17), the leaf comprises a flat pane 6, provided with an added flange 13,, also of plate glass. The flange 13 is assembled elastically in this case by means of a seal 61 which is capable of being bonded to the glass such as a seal of silicone resin which is preferably transparent. In a first form of construction, this assembly is so designed that, when no action is exerted on the glass pane and/or on the flange of this latter, a dihedral angle A is made between the plane of the glass pane and the flange of this latter (as shown in FIG. 18). The seal 61 is preferably provided with a projecting rib 62 which is directed towards the exterior of the angle thus made.

In a second form of construction (FIG. 19), the flange 13,, is located in the rest position in the same plane as the glass pane 6,, and the seal 61,, is accordingly designed so that, as a result of an external action G, said seal can be deformed elastically so that the flange 13,, should thus come to 13, thus making a dihedral angle A, with the plane of the glass pane 6 In this case also, the seal 61,, is advantageously provided with a projecting rib 62,,. It will be understood that, in the embodiment last mentioned, means external to the leaf which will be described hereinafter are provided for the purpose of applying the thrust G in the appropriate position.

The leaves which are thus equipped can be associated with each other or with leaves of the type contemplated in FIG. 1 in a large number of possible arrangments, some of which will be given in detail hereinafter by way of example In a first arrangement (shown in FIG. 20), two leaves 6,, 7 are associated, these leaves being provided with angular flanges 13,, 14, which are similar to those of FIG. 18 and form the same dihedral angle A In the closed position, the ribs 62 of the seals 61 are applied against the opposite flanges, thus producing a double sealing barrier. Steps can also be made to ensure that the angle of one of the dihedrons should have a value A, in the rest position which is greater than the angle A; as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 20. In this case, a tractive effort exerted on at least one of the leaves when the flanges 13 14,. are applied against each other results in bending of at least one of the seals 61 and the angle which is finally made by the flanges assumes a value A; which is smaller than A,,, the seals 61 being deformed elastically. Leak-tightness of the closure is thus increased as a result of the pressure which is thus produced.

As will be readily understood, it is also possible to associate a leaf having a flexible seal with a leaf having a rigid flange of the type shown in FIG. 2.

The use of leaves of the type shown in FIG. 19 in which the flange 13,, is in the rest position in the plane of the glass pane 6,, is provided with external components which ensure deformation of the elastic seal in the closed position. This constructional design is shown in FIGS. 21 and 22. The cross-pieces 4 and 5 of the frame 1 are provided in the vicinity of the central position with studs 71, 72 which serve to attach bladesprings 73, 74 terminating in rollers 75, 76 which are adapted to run along the edges of the leaves 6,, 7,, respectively and are applied against said edges under pressure by means of the blade-springs aforesaid.

When the leaves are brought into the closed position and the rollers 75, 76 are applied against the flanges l3,,, 14 of the panes 6,,, 7 said flanges are thrust towards each other until they are applied in mutual contact as in the previous example (shown in FIG. 22) by virtue of the elastic deformation of the seals 61 It is readily apparent that the invention is not limited to the embodiments mentioned in the foregoing and that a number of alternative forms of construction can accordingly be contemplated within the scope of the appended claims. Thus, in an alternative form which is shown in FIG. 23, the glass pane 6 of the type shown in FIG. 19 serves as a shower partition for a bath and the frame 77 of the opening has a bevelled edge 78 which ensures deflection of the flange 13,, when the leaf is displaced in the direction of the arrow F, with the result that effective leak-tightness can be ensured.

Finally, it must be understood that the invention is not limited to horizontally Sliding windows but can be carried into effect irrespective of the direction of sliding motion and is applicable, for example, to vertically sliding sash windows.

What I claim is:

1. An opening comprising a frame fitted with two leaves made of glass at least one of which is-slidably mounted relative to said frame, each of said leaves having an integral flat vertical flange extending at an oblique angle to the plane of the rest of the leaf, said flanges being of glass, of one piece with their associated leaves, and applied against each other in the closed position.

2. An opening as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said flanges is fitted with a seal.

3. An oepning as claimed in claim 2, wherein the seals are spaced apart in the closed position.

4. An opening as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame comprises guide means for applying the flanges against each other under pressure.

5. An opening comprising a frame fitted with two leaves made of glass at least one of which is slidably mounted relative to said frame, each of said leaves having a vertical flange of glass secured thereto by means of a flexible seal, said flanges bearing against each other and extending at an angle not exceeding with respect to the extended plane of the leaves respectively in the closed position.

6. An opening as claimed in claim 5, wherein the flexible seal is so shaped that the flange is disposed substantially in the plane of the leaf in the rest position and wherein the frame carries means for producing the deflection of said flange in the closed position and the correlative elastic deformation of the seal.

7. An opening as claimed in claim 5, wherein the flexible seal is provided with a projecting sealing rib which is directed towards the other leaf.

8. An opening as claimed in claim 5, wherein thee flexible seal is so shaped that a dihedral angle is made between the flange and the plane of the leaf in the rest position. i 

1. An opening comprising a frame fitted with two leaves made of glass at least one of which is slidably mounted relative to said frame, each of said leaves having an integral flat vertical flange extending at an oblique angle to the plane of the rest of the leaf, said flanges being of glass, of one piece with their associated leaves, and applied against each other in the closed position.
 2. An opening as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said flanges is fitted with a seal.
 3. An opening as claimed in claim 2, wherein the seals are spaced apart in the closed position.
 4. An opening as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame comprises guide means for applying the flanges against each other under pressure.
 5. An opening comprising a frame fitted with two leaves made of glass at least one of which is slidably mounted relative to said frame, each of said leaves having a vertical flange of glass secured thereto by means of a flexible seal, said flanges bearing against each other and extending at an angle not exceeding 90* with respect to the extended plane of the leaves respectively in the closed position.
 6. An opening as claimed in claim 5, wherein the flexible seal is so shaped that the flange is disposed substantially in the plane of the leaf in the rest position and wherein the frame carries means for producing the deflection of said flange in the closed position and the correlative elastic deformation of the seal.
 7. An opening as claimed in claim 5, wherein the flexible seal is provided with a projecting sealing rib which is directed towards the other leaf.
 8. An opening as claimed in claim 5, wherein the flexible seal is so shaped that a dihedral angle is made between the flange and the plane of the leaf in the rest position. 